JIS English for Academic Purposes

Argument & Persuasive Writing Lesson plans and teaching resources

This web site provides an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and improving student writing based on the Six Traits Writing model. The links below provide an overview of the model along with the scoring rubrics for each trait. Exercises provided here will give students and teachers a chance to read sample writings, rate them, and compare their ratings with ratings made by English teachers. This will provide a valuable opportunity for both students and teachers to improve their understanding of the Six Traits and, in the end, improve their own writing.

lements toward building a good persuasive essay include * establishing facts to support an argument * clarifying relevant values for your audience (perspective) * prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing the facts and values in importance to build the argument * forming and stating conclusions * "persuading" your audience that your conclusions are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values * having the confidence to communicate your "persuasion" in writing

SIX + 1 TRAITS WRITING

Introduce the power and the purpose of persuasion; develop student knowledge of strategies/techniques associated with persuasion; develop student ability to identify authors' purpose, arguments, and supporting evidence; develop students' abilities to conduct research in order to support a perspective with supporting evidence.

When you set out to persuade someone, you want them to accept your opinion on an issue: you want to change that person's mind to your way of thinking. To do this, you will - just as with 'writing to argue' - be presenting a written argument; but when you are trying to persuade, your argument will need to be more one-sided than the balanced presentation of views typically required in a "Writing to Argue" essay question. This is because persuasion is based on a personal conviction that your way of thinking is the right way.

Interactive Tools and Lessons for "Persuasive Writing"

This lesson encourages students to use skills and knowledge they may not realize they already have. A classroom game introduces students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them (or that they want) and making persuasive arguments. Students then choose their own persuasive piece to analyze and learn some of the definitions associated with persuasive writing. Once students become aware of the techniques used in oral arguments, they then apply them to independent persuasive writing activities.

Teaching and Assessing Writing with the 6-Traits

There is absolutely no better way to understand the 6+1 Trait® Scoring analytical model than to use it yourself. Whether you are a teacher or a student, this instructional tool will help you better understand each of the six traits of writing. You will first have to select which area of writing you want to focus on. Select from the list below to further study an individual trait.

This WebQuest challenges you to investigate techniques of persuasive writing and critical reading skills. It allows you to strengthen your technology skills, exercise your creativity, practice your research skills, and visit newspaper editorials to discriminate between fact from opinion.